New 1979 Sears GT/18 [Silver Model] Work Horse Utility Build... Maybe

We got our selves a new build. For now I'm gonna get it up and running as a grass cutter but eventually it will end up a mud mower maybe. Traded my 1978 Sears GT/18 Hydro Silver Model for this 1979 Sears GT/18 Geared Silver Mower. Same mower except dash is different, different transaxle, and this one has a plastic tank that is bigger instead of a smaller metal tank. I've got a 16 or 18 hp briggs oppy with a blown connector rod that will eventually end up in it. Heck might mower with it this year and then Enter a Monster into the 2022 Build-Off. Then again could just restore it and find another one.

Game Plan For Now:
-Predator 212 Hemi Install
-Swap Out Junk Rears For 23x8.50x12 With Chains
-Front Rims Rotted Out So Gonna Swap On Something Else
-Unbend Front Of Deck From Hitting Stuff Over The Years
-Sharpen Blades and Call It A Day

Future Plans:
-27x12x12 Interco Super Swamper Vampires
-24x9x10 Interco Super Swamper Vampires
-Predator 670 Vtwin
-Rear 2.5" Spacers
-Front 1" Spacers
-Front 4x4 Go-Cart Hubs With Bearings
-3500lb Winch
-Winch Bumper
-Rear Rack and Bumper
-2" Fender Lift & Footboard Slid Forward
-Dual Exhaust & The List Goes On

Not trying to tell you what to do, but if you decide to do a repaint I think that red rims with red and black hood stripes would look mean on that silver. Can’t wait to see the old girl rolling again!

@Rustbucket Garage I like blue and black. Also like green and black. Don't have e a green and black tractor yet so that's probably what its gonna be if I do repaint. Colors your saying probably would look sick but I'm not a red fan personally.

Hillbilly Offroading wrote:

@Rustbucket Garage I like blue and black. Also like green and black. Don't have e a green and black tractor yet so that's probably what its gonna be if I do repaint. Colors your saying probably would look sick but I'm not a red fan personally.

X2. Coincidentally I think blue is the best color for a tractor & I usually don’t like red but it looks good sometimes. Green and black would look very nice too.

X2. Coincidentally I think blue is the best color for a tractor & I usually don’t like red but it looks good sometimes. Green and black would look very nice too. [/quote]

I've got a blue tractor already or I'd be all over that color. Lol! These Sears tractors honestly would look good any color.

Full walk around shots sinceyou can't post videos.

Yeah I’ve been watching your Wards build...she looks great and muds better!

I’m doing a blue paint job later this year coincidentally, this is a custom hood I made that needs to be redone due to adhesion issues

*ends thread jack* lol

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Yeah I’ve been watching your Wards build...she looks great and muds better!

I’m doing a blue paint job later this year coincidentally, this is a custom hood I made that needs to be redone due to adhesion issues

*ends thread jack* lol

Ghats pretty cool. Just need some kind of custom grill and call it good.

My GT looks exactly like that one. Has a Big Old Briggs and I have been using it as a Lawn tractor only for about 5 years. runs like the energizer bunny.
The front grill area is kinda Wimp being fiberglass.

2 speed gear box. Tough old machine. I think some of the Old JD 212's used the same transaxle maybe.
Wish I could find a reasonably priced mower deck.
This one appears to maybe have had a front attachment of some type at one time, maybe a blade.

I had to make a plastic slip on umbrella and place over the gear shift to keep water from getting into the xmission,

I also use it to pull full size boats and trailers with loads of wood around the place. Has two hitches on the rear one is 1 7/8 and 2 inch. If it gets tongue heavy it will try to lift the front wheel off the ground and it will do wheelies easily. Cannot believe how reliable the big old Briiggs twin engine.

Okie743 wrote:

My GT looks exactly like that one. Has a Big Old Briggs and I have been using it as a Lawn tractor only for about 5 years. runs like the energizer bunny.
The front grill area is kinda Wimp being fiberglass.

2 speed gear box. Tough old machine. I think some of the Old JD 212's used the same transaxle maybe.
Wish I could find a reasonably priced mower deck.
This one appears to maybe have had a front attachment of some type at one time, maybe a blade.

I had to make a plastic slip on umbrella and place over the gear shift to keep water from getting into the xmission,

I also use it to pull full size boats and trailers with loads of wood around the place. Has two hitches on the rear one is 1 7/8 and 2 inch. If it gets tongue heavy it will try to lift the front wheel off the ground and it will do wheelies easily. Cannot believe how reliable the big old Briiggs twin engine.

If I’m correct, the 212s had peerless 2300s. The Sears GTs/Suburbans all had 633 Ropers. They are similar in layout, but the 633s have HI-LO while some of the 2300s have a creeper gear. Also the 633s have aluminum housings while the 2300s are cast iron. Just my 2c.

After looking at the Pictures mine is a GT 16. A guy gave it too me about 5 years ago, A diamond in the rough. Cleaned the carb, drained water out of gear box then changed the gear oil, added a test battery, fired it up and had to replace one tie rod end.
Have not even had to add any air to the tires. It will do a wheelie really fast if the clutch idle has a strong spring and good v-belt. I had to purposely rig it so as the belt would slip enough to not carry the front wheels when taking off at high throttle.
It will go through the woods like a 4 wheeler.
Cannot believe how that old Briggs engine starts in winter time, turns over twice puff a few smoke rings and it's running, ready to go.

Mine seems like it would be a high center of gravity for racing or mud bogging.
I have to watch and not get on a slope sideways.

Careful guys!  Let's not get  @Hillbilly Offroading's topic off track!